Mary "May" Josephine Purdy nee Dunne 81 passed away peacefully Saturday evening at the Friendly Home. Born in Enniscorthy Ireland in 1931, Mary lived in the USA for 61 years but never lost her Irish core and always had Dublin in her gaze. Mary left Ireland as a young woman, traveling with two of her sisters to London, where she met her husband George an American Serviceman. Mary, known to most as "May" loved roses and gardening. May was known for the pearls & hats she wore, and her spirited nature. Survived by: the father of her children George J. Purdy; her children: David G. Purdy, June (David) Sechowski, siblings, Alice Latter, Bridget “Bride” Burke, Thomas Ibar (Pat) Dunne, Sean (Kay), Dunne Paddy (Aileen) Dunne; Marion Dunne, grandchildren, Michael Purdy, Colleen (Justin) Topalian, Sarah (Geoffrey) Mills, Rachael (Terry) Moore, Alice (fiancé Jeremy Hart) Purdy, Patrick Sechowski; great-grandsons, Owen, Carter Sean, Evan; many nieces & nephews, cousins. Predeceased by her parents: John and Alice Dunne, sisters: Kay Price and Elizabeth Smith brothers: Jim and Ambrose Dunne, daughter: Alice Purdy, son: Sean Purdy, and daughter in law: Jo Ann Purdy. Special thanks to the Memory Care unit at the Friendly Home for their love & dedication over the last 9 years.

May’s funeral service will be at 9 AM Saturday at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Interment in White Haven Memorial Park Sunday at 3:30 pm. Wake to follow immediately after. Donations can be sent to The Friendly Home 3156 East Ave. Rochester NY 14618

May was born to Alice & John Dunne on July 31, 1931 in Spring Hill, Killagoley Enniscorthy County Wexford Ireland and grew up in the Big House in Spring Hill. May was raised in a warm & loving Irish Catholic home, among the roses her father grew. She loved his garden, where he raised bees, and mom harvested the berries for jam. One of 10 children, May and her twin Kay were the oldest girls and helped raise the younger children, Jim, Tom, Elizabeth, Sean, Alice, Paddy, Bridie & Ambrose. May helped her mom at home and was known for keeping the home immaculate. The Dunne girls turned many heads walking down the lane in Spring Hill.


May was married for over 25 years after meeting him in London and moving to the United States. They later were amicably divorced, but did have 4 wonderful children: Alice, Sean, David, & June.

May loved working at Sibley's Department Store where she could help women be fashionable. She also worked at the Cartwright Inn and Carriage Stop restaurants. May loved dogs and had a beautiful Irish Setter named Prince. There was only one cat who stole her heart: Inky. She loved animals and once adopted a stray who followed her home. She named him Puppy.

Two special events that stand out as important in May's life were when she was able to return to Ireland on the SS Sylvania, and when her mom came to visit and stay at her home.

May loved gardening and landscaped the 2 homes her family lived in. She made a rock garden and planted rose gardens, Japanese Maple and beautiful Birch trees.

Some of her favorites included "Erin Go Braugh", the Irish Rovers, "Up The Irish", and John F. Kennedy. May loved to travel and did. She also loved when family would come to visit her.

Family and friends would best describe May as being spirited and outspoken - right until the end. She was independent and her own person. She adored her family in Ireland and loved to speak of everyone's accomplishments. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.